[CLOSED] Education Director

Earth Discovery Institute’s mission is to inspire stewardship of San Diego's native biodiversity through environmental education and conservation. Since its inception in 2008, EDI has delivered hands-on environmental education to approximately 31,000 children, primarily from underserved communities in southeastern San Diego County.  EDI’s unique education model integrates science-based environmental education with habitat restoration on conserved lands.  We enjoy strong ongoing relationships with schoolteachers and administrators throughout the region, as well as land management agencies like the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Endangered Habitats Conservancy.

Earth Discovery Institute is a small but highly impactful organization, and we are growing quickly.  This is an exciting time for the right person to join our team.  As Education Director, you will lead our long-running school-based field programs as well as our more recent efforts to engage whole families and communities in “education through recreation” opportunities, including sea kayaking and hiking.  You will also have the opportunity to develop new educational programming aligned with your particular skills and interests. 

Responsibilities include:

- Oversee the development, implementation and evaluation of EDI’s environmental education programs.

- Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with stakeholders and community partners, including schoolteachers and administrators, land managers, donor organizations, and other nonprofit organizations.

- Stay current with trends and developments in experiential and place-based environmental education.

- Annually review and update curricula to ensure it both aligns with Next Generation Science Standards, and engages students in enjoyable and meaningful experiences in nature.

- Hire, train and supervise educational support staff, including seven part-time field instructors.

- Ensure the safety of program participants and staff by maintaining comprehensive risk management protocols, and compliance with local and state regulations for outdoor programs.

- Develop and implement tools to evaluate the impact of educational programs.

- Work with the executive director to support fundraising efforts through grant and report writing, and occasionally meeting with donors.

- Develop programming budgets and projections.

- Represent Earth Discovery Institute during stakeholder meetings, and occasionally with the press.

Required experience, skills, and personal characteristics:

- At least three years of experience leading environmental education programs.

- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education, environmental science, or related field.

- Comfortable working in outdoor settings in inclement weather.

- Experience with grant-writing and reporting.

- Demonstrated leadership, supervisory and organizational skills.

- Demonstrated commitment and passion for connecting people with nature, and fostering stewardship of the natural world.

- Personal characteristics that will help you meet the challenges of the position include creativity; flexibility; tact; organizational ability; problem solving ability; high degree of self-motivation with the ability to work independently, but also as a cooperative member of a team; and a sense of humor.

- Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, especially with respect to engaging underserved and underrepresented communities in nature and the outdoors.

- Excellent written and oral communication skills.

- Records management skills.

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

- Certified in First Aid and CPR, or willing to obtain certification upon hire.

- Spanish language skills are strongly preferred.

- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Compensation:

Full-time, exempt. Starting pay: $65,000 - $70,000, with comprehensive benefits package:

- Full medical coverage;

- Retirement plan with employer match;

- Paid vacation starting with 2 weeks the first year, and 3 weeks the second year;

- Eight paid holidays;

- Regular professional development opportunities.

How to apply:

Submit resume and cover letter to [email protected].  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but we would like to fill the position by June, 2022.